Our mission

The Founder

Deborah is a first-generation college graduate and the child of a single mother who immigrated to the United States in search of a better life. Her mother worked tirelessly as a CNA, often barely earning enough to keep food on the table. Paying for college was simply out of the question.

With no savings, no roadmap, and no one to guide her, Deborah had to figure everything out on her own. She spent countless late nights researching scholarships, writing essays, and applying again and again—driven by a quiet determination to create a different future.

Her persistence paid off. Deborah was accepted to Florida State University and earned major scholarships, including the Burger King and McDonald’s awards, covering her education and changing the trajectory of her life.

Today, she’s a former educator with over a decade of experience, an edtech partner advising school districts on literacy solutions, and the author of children’s books. She founded The Scholarship Strategy to give families what she never had: a clear, proven path to securing scholarships with less stress and more confidence.

Deborah believes every student deserves the chance to pursue higher education—without being held back by cost. And she’s here to help them do just that.